VERTICAL FACELIFT HOUSTON
Signs of aging such as visible lines, sagging skin, jowls, and wrinkles around your mouth and jawline can make you overly conscious. You may appear years older than you look. In some cases, these imperfections simply do not respond to lifestyle adjustments and skincare products. A Vertical Facelift (synonymous with Deep Plane Facelift) is an innovative procedure that aims to address specific challenges of aging in the lower face and neck areas (Note, Dr. Wu generally performs a Deep Plane Facelift because of its superior results over all other facelift techniques).
Houston-based, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Chaowen Wu is a leading specialist in the Vertical Facelift technique. Through this treatment, Dr. Wu has helped countless men and women from Houston, Texas, and different parts of the country achieve their facial aesthetic goals. Dr. Wu is passionate about facial plastic surgery and provides a highly individualized onboarding process to get to learn each patient and create a plan to achieve their precise goals.
Facelift Gallery (Before & After Photos)
Deep Plane Facelift, Deep Neck Lift
Age: 55-60
Deep Plane Facelift, Deep Neck Lift, Upper Eyelild Lift
Age: 40-45
Deep Plane Facelift, Deep Neck Lift
Age: 50-55
Why Work With Chaowen Wu, MD for the Best Vertical Facelift in Houston
The vertical facelift is typically a complex technique that involves deep tissue manipulation and requires extensive anatomical knowledge and a longer operating time. Selecting a highly qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon is important in order to ensure a fulfilling outcome with this cosmetic plastic surgery treatment. Dr. Chaowen Wu stands out from other plastic surgeons in that she has received extensive training in advanced facial rejuvenation techniques like the vertical facelift. The surgeon has also accumulated a lot of hands-on experience offering vertical facelifts to countless patients from Houston, TX and surrounding Texas areas. Dr. Wu offers an individualized surgical approach that guarantees a professional patient experience while also ensuring a satisfactory outcome.
Am I a candidate for Vertical Facelift Surgery?
You might be a good candidate for a vertical restore facelift if you:
- Have mild to moderate signs of aging in the lower face and neck (jowls, marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and loose neck skin)
- Are in good overall health to minimize risks and ensure proper healing
- Are a non-smoker or are willing to quit before and after the surgery.
- Have realistic expectations about the outcome of this type of facelift.
Benefits of a Vertical Facelift
Some of the key benefits of a vertical facelift plastic surgery include the following:
- Natural-Looking Results – compared to standard facelifts that can sometimes result in a “pulled” or “windswept” look, a vertical facelift vertically lifts underlying tissues to achieve a more natural and refreshed appearance.
- Addresses Specific Concerns – this type of facelift specifically targets the lower face and neck. It helps alleviate aesthetic concerns like sagging jowls, marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and loose skin in the neck.
- Long-lasting Results – results are typically longer-lasting than non-surgical options because a vertical facelift addresses the underlying muscles and tissues.
- Less Invasive – a vertical facelift often involves smaller incisions and less extensive surgery, which then leads to a faster recovery time and less scarring.
- Improved Jawline Definition – significantly improve the definition of the jawline to create a more youthful and sculpted look.
How is a Vertical Facelift Performed?
Dr. Chaowen Wu typicall performs vertical facelift plastic surgery under local anesthesia with IV sedation. General anesthesia may also be used in some cases. She will then create small, discrete incisions within the hairline or behind the ears to minimize scarring. Dr. Wu will then release the retaining tissue ligaments in the lower face and neck revisions to allow the proper repositioning of facial tissues. Fat grafting may in some cases be used to restore volume in sunken areas like under the eyes or the cheeks. Excess skin is then trimmed and the remaining skin gently redraped over the lift tissues to ensure a natural-looking result. Incisions are usually closed using sutures.
What is the Difference Between a Traditional Facelift and a Vertical Facelift?
A vertical facelift aims to combat the signs of aging in the lower face and neck. This treatment does not pull the skin horizontally like standard facelifts do. Instead, it focuses on vertically lifting the underlying to create a more natural and refreshed appearance. A vertical facelift addresses specific concerns like sagging jowls, marionette lines, and loose neck skin. Vertical facelifts typically involve less extensive surgery compared to traditional facelifts, leading to faster recovery times.
Healing Process After Vertical Facelift
The healing process after a vertical facelift usually takes a few weeks to months. Most noticeable changes occur within the first few weeks. Patients can expect significant swelling and bruising that gradually subsides after a few days post-op. Dr.Wu will administer pain medication to alleviate the discomfort. Results start to become more noticeable after the second week after the swelling goes away. You will be able to resume light activities within 2 weeks and continue to strenuous activities within 2 – 3 months.
What is the Right Age for a Vertical Facelift?
There’s no single “right” age for a vertical facelift. The right timing depends on individual factors and preferences. However, most of Dr. Wu’s vertical facelift patients seek this procedure in their 40s to 60s. This is the period in life when signs of aging in the lower face and neck become more pronounced. It’s important you consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your individual needs and determine the most appropriate timing for a vertical facelift.
Can a Vertical Facelift be Combined With any Other Procedures?
A vertical facelift may be safely combined with several other procedures to achieve a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation:
- Neck Lift – Dr. Wu often combines facelift techniques with a neck lift to address loose skin and excess fat in the neck and create a more youthful neck contour.
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) – combining a vertical facelift with blepharoplasty helps address both the lower face and the eyes. Dr. Wu is able to address facial imperfections while also correcting drooping eyelids and under-eye bags.
- Brow Lift – a brow lift may complement a vertical facelift by alleviating sagging eyebrows and forehead wrinkles to create a more alert and youthful look.
- Fat Grafting – fat transfer entails harvesting fat from one area of the body and injecting it into areas of the face that have lost volume due to aging. This technique enhances the results of a vertical facelift by restoring fullness to the temples, cheeks, and under-eye areas.
- Skin Resurfacing – non-surgical facial treatments such as laser resurfacing or chemical peels may be performed in along with a vertical facelift to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, and minimize the appearance of scars.
How Much Does a Vertical Facelift Cost?
The cost of vertical facelift surgery will vary from one patient to the other based on the specifics of the treatment. You can find our recommended starting budget on our contact form. During your consultation visit to Revel You Facial Plastic Surgery in Houston, Dr. Wu’s team will provide an individualized cost estimate so you can make plans for financing.
Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Chaowen Wu
Dr. Chaowen Wu is a leading facial plastic surgeon with years of experience working with patients from Houston, TX, and many other parts of the country. She is known for her compassionate approach and commitment to results and patient safety. If you’d like to learn about the vertical facelift and its suitability for you, contact Dr. Chaowen Wu to schedule a consultation today.
Dr. Wu's Other Facial Rejuvenation Techniques
Dr. Chaowen Wu specializes in multiple other facial plastic surgery procedures to suit the needs of different patients:
Full Facelift
Because your face represents you to the world, a facelift may be the most intimate procedure you have ever considered. The goal of facelift surgery is to tighten the facial skin by removing excessive skin from the face due to age, hereditary factors, or weight loss. Learn how Dr. Wu can preserve all of your defining features with a gentle facelift.
Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift technique addresses advanced signs of aging in the mid and lower face. This involves lifting and repositioning the underlying muscles and tissues (the SMAS layer) to improve sagging jowls, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds. Because it lifts the deeper tissues, a deep plane facelift provides longer-lasting results.
Mini Facelift
If you are bothered by signs of aging in your lower face including jowls, marionette lines, and general loss of definition in your jawline, the mini facelift can provide the solution to these problem areas. The incisions are kept in natural creases to keep them concealed. This procedure is one of the least invasive types of facelift.
Neck Lift
A neck lift is the most powerful way to treat advanced neck aging, including horizontal wrinkles, vertical neck bands, loose neck muscle, and loose skin that form the dreaded “turkey wattle.” It is often combined with a facelift procedure to achieve harmonious rejuvenation – as it uses the same incision around the ears.
Facial Fat Transfer
Facial volume is lost over time and may be restored to your youthful self using your own fat. Facial fat transfer heals without scars and provides a natural, soft, and lasting alternative to fillers. This is a great way to rejuvenate the eyes, cheeks, and even lips with minimal down time using your own excess body fat.
Eyelid Lift
Aging of the eyelids often appears as eyelid hooding, hollowing, dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, and just general tired appearance. Eyelid surgery is an excellent procedure choice to remove excess skin and reposition the fat in this area in order to reawaken tired eyes and achieve a lively facial aesthetic.
Brow lift
Your eyebrows frame your eyes and with age may start drooping. This can lead to the appearance of looking sad, tired, or angry. A brow lift restores the eyebrows to a youthful position which can help you look rested and relaxed.
Vertical Facelift
Dr. Wu offers the vertical facelift to lift the underlying facial tissues in a vertical direction (as opposed to the horizontal pull of a traditional facelift). This improves sagging cheeks, jowls, and neck laxity for a natural facial contour.
Rhinoplasty
Aging of the eyelids can appear as eyelid hooding, hollowing, dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, and just general tired appearance. Eyelid surgery can remove excess skin and reposition the fat to reawaken tired eyes.
FAQs
If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, simply contact us!
Is a vertical facelift a scarless procedure?
A vertical facelift aims to minimize scarring, but it is not a completely scarless procedure. Dr. Wu needs to create incisions to access and reposition the underlying tissues. However, she uses advanced surgical techniques and strategically places them within the hairline or natural creases around the ears to make them less noticeable. The visibility of scars also depends on other factors such as individual healing and skin type. If you are concerned about scarring after your facelift, let Dr. Wu know during your consultation visit to Revel You Facial Plastic Surgery.
What are the risks of a vertical facelift?
A vertical facelift is generally safe and effective when performed by a qualified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Wu. However, like any other surgical procedure, it carries certain risks and potential complications that may include anesthesia complications, bleeding, infection, hematoma (collection of blood under the skin), and seroma (buildup of fluid under the skin). Some less common complications may include scarring, asymmetry, nerve injury, and hair loss around the incision site.
Are results permanent?
A vertical facelift provides long-lasting results but it does not stop the natural aging process. You may experience some gradual changes in your facial appearance over time due to factors like gravity, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices. Dr. Wu recommends that you follow a healthy lifestyle, protect your skin from sun exposure, and consider non-surgical maintenance treatments to maintain your results for as long as possible.
For beauties with advanced signs of facial aging who desire comprehensive correction, a full face and neck lift combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures is the choice for maximal results. Advanced signs of aging include general loss of facial volume and skin elasticity, droopy brows, saggy eyelids, droopy and hollow cheeks, deep folds around the mouth, downturned lips, sagging jowls, neck bands and loose skin. Incisions begin in front of the ears sweeping around the ear lobes and into the hairline. This process provides the most dramatic rejuvenation and lift for beauties with severe facial aging.
Depending on your individual goals, other procedures can be combined with a neck lift for optimal and balanced facial rejuvenation. These procedures include, facelift brow lift, eyelid lift, lip lift, and almost a must, facial fat transfer. An in-person consultation with Dr. Wu is the best way to discuss the most effective and personalized solution for you.